Faces at the Races – Toronto SX and Houston Party
By Billy Rainford
Photos by Bigwave and Tyler Spikman @spikman
The 2016 Toronto Supercross is now in our rear view mirror. After being off the schedule in 2015, 50 605 fans filed into the Rogers Centre to prove that Toronto deserves a round each and every year. Getting non-Canadians across the border may prove to be one thing we fight the most, moving forward, but fan support isn’t!
Here is our weekly column taking a closer look at the people who were there, on and off the track. The Toronto event also marked the return of the DMX After-Party at The Houston on Yonge St.. We all know there’s nothing worse than throwing a bad party. Fortunately, these things are almost at legendary status and people flocked to the beautiful grill in droves. In fact, we were at capacity throughout the night.
Have a look…
Track walk is always the best time to grab head shots and pics of people you may not normally see or take note of.
Donk and Vicki Golden having some fun.
Rookie #653 Tyler Bereman.
Just go search YouTube for “Seinfeld Cartwright.”
Dave Gowland.
Jenny Taft working hard to get some stories for the live broadcast.
Donk
#22 Chad Reed made an appearance at The Houston on Friday night.
Moose-Can.
Eli Tomac.
I predict a great start and then a horrible bail for Justin Bogle in Toronto…
#27 Nick Wey made his return to TO.
It was cool to Aaron Plessinger at The Houston Saturday night.
Ryan Dungey.
Justin Brayton and Justin Hill. It helps to be named “Justin” if you want to go fast.
Vince Friese and Mike Alessi.
#6 Jeremy Martin.
#12 Jake Weimer.
#94 Ken Roczen.
#4 Bobby Orr…no…Blake Baggett. Hey, it’s Canada, what can I say?!
Big James and Big Frye.
Little Frye and Younger Hill.
#41 Trey Canard.
Jason ‘JT$’ Thomas popped by The Houston Friday night.
Jake Weimer and Tyla Rattray.
#53 Tyler Bowers.
#31 RJ Hampshire.
#50 Malcolm Stewart.
The first American to tell me what that tape is covering wins…bragging rights.
Monster Girl gets in the way of a nice Harold from Motoplayground pic…
Chad Reed during opening ceremonies.
Opening ceremonies.
I’m not sure how much better he can see by leaning in a few inches, but…
Canadian #655 John John Pauk.
Nick Wey.
Spikman making even the riders edgy with his big lens.
Rick Bradshaw was in Toronto in his fancy CMA white shirt.
Canadian John John Pauk getting set to ride.
That is a fresh haircut on A-Rod. #kidnplay
It took several tries by 3 people to get that SX suspension clicked.
The Canadian Legends getting ‘narced’ when we tried to get on the track for a photo op.
Canadian Legends (L-R): Al Logue, Doug Hoover, Glen Nicholson, Andy Bokma, Jorma Rautainen, Jay Kimber, Bill Fullerton.
Parts Canada’s Laura Lang with the big announcement for their company and dealers that Alpinestars gear will be available in Canada.
50, 605 fans in Rogers Centre. Nice.
I wish the roof was open so they could have done more with the fireworks than just make noise.
Redemption Racing’s Josh Snider helping out in the K1 Speed pits.
“OK, so if there are no more questions, we’ll get going…oh, wait, there’s a question over there…yes, Cade?”
It shows commitment to a lifestyle…I’ll give him that!
It just wouldn’t be the same without Andy and his all white uni.
I could stand and take pit board photos all day…
Wait, what? Was it a Benjamin Button race?
It’s important to set realistic goals.
Young rookie, #128 Alex Frye, grabbed the holeshot in the 250 main.
Josh Hill was like a proud papa when Justin Hill won.
Our man on the scene, Tyler Spikman.
#22 Chad Reed after his first turn crash.
Marvin Musquin kindly poured his champagne over Ken Roczen’s head.
A fan tries to get Kenny’s attentions.
Up there, Ken.
Marvin Musquin.
More? OK.
Ryan Dungey.
I think if you look up ‘smug’ in the dictionary…
People young and old still love The Man!
Photographers can be an eccentric bunch.
Opening ceremonies.
Mike Alessi getting comfortable in Canada again.
Reed and Hill.
Donk and Vicki Golden keeping it light.
OK, who called this nerd meeting?
Rick Bradshaw was in charge of looking for gate glitches on this side.
All you had to do was catch a flying t-shirt and this little Kawasaki was yours.
Dave Hellyer making some adjustments.
Mischa Wright as flagger in Toronto.
The word is out! Motovan Corp athletes are part of the new BLK RDR program. It should be a great way for them to display the many brands they distribute and get the riders some excellent support. This is JC Bujold at the Toronto SX.
Roger DeCoster and Jason Anderson.
I call this look by Jeremy Martin the ‘I know I should have won the race but I don’t want to be the guy who makes excuses’ look.
And this look is called ‘Ya, whatever…I DID win!’
New guy, Matt Bisceglia, doesn’t have his look sorted yet.
Then it was time for the DMX Afterparty at The Houston. Yamaha’s Matt Filion giving me the old skunk eye.
Vicki and Kenny ‘Taco’ Bell.
I think Lincoln the DJ may have been the only one enjoying my reference humour on the mic Saturday night.
Trevor Hall, David Toye, and Daymon Goold.
Your guess is as good as mine. Let’s just blame the heat on the fuzziness…
Adam Turner subs in for David.
Hey, remember Dan Stenning? He lives!
It’s a fair question, sir.
Spikman keeping the social media rolling.
Kourtney Lloyd and Stenning with the classic overbite dance. I’m guessing it was The Bird Dance playing?
We threw Emily to the wolves in this moto mayhem of a night.
Next year, someone explain indoor, dark room, flash photography to me…
Adam Turner and Donk, coming soon to a Canadian National near you!
Justin Thompson and someone squeezed into a Donk costume.
Good times.
I was determined to find someone who remembered PO Levigne (right). It didn’t go well. LOL
This WAS the good one!
OK, that will do it for this year. I have a lot more photos but they are either even blurrier or inappropriate for display. Cheers to the staff at The Houston, David Toye for hosting a great event, Paul the Manager for being in such a great mood all night, and Richard Carrer of The Houston.
And jeers to the drunk woman who would dig into the swag boxes and hand it out randomly to the same guy every time our backs were turned. While we appreciate your enthusiasm, it was a little misdirected.
Thanks to all the great DMX supporters who donated so generously to the giveaways. Oh, and all the moto luminaries I dragged up to speak on the mic with me as we gave stuff away. It was a great night. Bring on 2017!
